Intel to launch low-cost 40GB SSD, new enterprise lineup

Intel plans to release a $120 40GB SSD, which the company hopes will be adopted as a boot drive in servers, or potentially used in low-end laptops and netbooks. Intel is also working a new line of enterprise-class SSDs including models that are 50GB, 100GB, and 200GB in capacity. The new series of SSDs would be a substantial boost from the company's currently available enterprise drives -- the X25-E -- which only ships in 32GB and 64GB capacities.

Behind the scenes, Intel's 40GB X25-V is known as the Glen Brook drive. In order to meet its $120 price-point, the drive will use MLC NAND flash memory. It's currently shipping to system makers in sample volumes and should be widely available in January.

Meanwhile, Intel's less cost-prohibited enterprise SSD series will use SLC NAND flash chips, and should bring a 40% price cut (or about $6.50 per gigabyte), over the X25-E series. For instance, the upcoming 50GB enterprise drive is planned to have an MSRP of $350. Samples of the new lineup should ship in April and are expected to be available in July, 2010.